The Battle of Marathon and the Race it Inspired

The Battle of Marathon took place in 490 BC, during the first Persian invasion of Greece.  It was fought by the citizens of Athens, aided by few citizens of Plataea, against the forces of the King Darius I. 

The Persian force sailed to Attica, landing in the bay near the town of Marathon. The Athenians, despite having a smaller force, proved devastatingly effective against the Persian infantry.  The Battle of Marathon was a watershed in the Greco-Persian wars. Since the following two hundred years saw the rise of the Classical Greek civilization, it is considered as a pivotal moment in European history and western civilization. 

The Battle of Marathon is also known as the inspiration for the Marathon race.   Legend has it that Pheidippides or Philippides (Greek: Φειδιππίδης), a Greek hoplite, at the completion of the battle run to Athens in full gear and announced the victory with a single word “Νενικηκαμεν» which means we won.  Historians tell us that upon uttering the words ”we won” he died succumbing to exhaustion. The Athenian soldier before his legendary run, he also completed a two-day run to Sparta to seek help against the invading Persians.  That ultra-marathon is also commemorated with a 153 mile annual race from Athens to Sparta called Spartathon. 

Pheidippides’ run was re-enacted as an athletic event and introduced in the first modern Olympic games, in Athens Greece.  Acropolis seen in this picture from the Stadium was likely the site where Pheidippides ended his celebrated run.  The modern's race finish line is in the all marble Stadium built for the first Olympics in 1896.